The Rest Is History

The hosts cited Byron's classic travel memoir for its vivid description of Herat, calling the city "the Florence of the eastern world" and praising its beauty.

Robert Byron the great travel writer, sort of classic early 20th century travel writer in his book The Road to Oxiana. He says you know Herat is amazing it's beautiful it's there the Florence of the k...

— Episode: 87. Afghanistan - Part 1

Episode: 87. Afghanistan - Part 1

The hosts cited Byron's classic travel memoir for its vivid description of Herat, calling the city "the Florence of the eastern world" and praising its beauty.

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Empire: World History

It was described as the greatest of all pre-war travel books, focusing on a journey to Herat and detailing the discovery of a masterpiece of Persian architecture unseen by the British until that time. The book highlights the majesty and surprise of the Timurid dynasty's architectural wonders.

I see seven sky blue pillars rise out of the bare fields against the delicate heather coloured mountains. Down each the dawn casts a highlight of pale gold.

— Episode: 113. Timur: Scourge of God

Episode: 113. Timur: Scourge of God

I see seven sky blue pillars rise out of the bare fields against the delicate heather coloured mountains. Down each the dawn casts a highlight of pale gold.

many people think is the greatest of all the pre-war travel books

he crosses the Persian frontier and comes to Herat somewhere which had basically been closed off to the British, certainly a casual British travellers until that time.

he realises as he walks across the fields to these extraordinary minarets that he is discovering one of the great moments of civilisation of our race.

The Rest Is History

Episode: 87. Afghanistan - Part 1

Empire: World History

Episode: 113. Timur: Scourge of God

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